AFD holds chlorine training exercise - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

On the 9-11 anniversary, the Albany Fire Department held a hazardous material training exercise.

Firefighters say their jobs and training procedures have changed dramatically in the 11 years since the terrorist attacks.

343 firefighters were killed during the Twin Tower attacks 11 years ago. So while the Albany firefighters carried out their emergency drill today, many said their thoughts were not only on their work, but also their brothers lost that day.

As he put on his hazmat suit, Anthony Barber said this was his childhood dream.

Barber said "Ever since I was younger I always wanted to be a firefighter."

Barber remembers September 11, 2001. He was 16, and watched the Twin Towers coverage on TV at Monroe High School, deciding he would be a firefighter.

Barber said "Even more it did. You know I love helping people. I love helping people."

Today Barber along with other firefighters suited up at the Joshua Street Waste Treatment Plant and trained with the new chlorine emergency kits that the Albany Fire Department received with a grant from the local emergency planning committee.

Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Jim Vaught said "The waste treatment plant uses chlorine on a regular basis, and there is always that possibility that you could have an accidental spill."

Battalion Chief Keith Ambrose said "The valve, I don't know if you are going to be able to turn it off. Probably not. Go ahead and hood it, cap it. Work as quick as you can. We get in and out."

Having this drill on September 11th was no coincidence.   It of course had special meaning for the firefighters.

Albany Fire Department Training Chief Rubin Jordan said "Now since 9-11, when a fireman gets that tone, and especially if it's Hazmat, first thing that goes through their mind, could it be W.M.D. That's how life has changed."

Since 9-11, Firefighters and paramedics are trained differently. To not rush into a chemical or biological emergency, but to put on protective suits and set up decontamination equipment to clean the victims before they receive treatment.

Dougherty County EMS Supervisor Sam Allen said "Because if we get sick or injured we can't take care of them. "

Vaught said "As the years have gone we have actually gotten much better in our equipment and our training. We understand 9-11 was a wake up call. A tremendous amount of training has taken place since then."

Firefighters say they train and do emergency drills like this continuously, to be ready if there is ever another terror attack on America.

Talking to firefighters and paramedics at the drill this morning, they took it very seriously. They know that lives could hang in the balance if they face a real chlorine leak. A lot of the firefighters said they know training like this is important to make sure they go home to their families tonight safe.

The Albany Fire Department received a grant for $4500 to buy the chlorine emergency kits. They will be kept on the Regional Hazmat Trailer, so they will be ready for use across Southwest Georgia.

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